The Pioneer chairman of APWEN AWKA, Engr. Oluchi MaryJane Okoli who has just successfully completed her tenure have handed over to the new Chairman of the Chapter.
During he handing over, she thanked members for their unflinching supports during her two years tenure. And declared that an era may have ended but another is opening under the leadership of her successor Engr. Nneka Ezeani.
She stated in her valedictory speech that her administration have “succeeded in providing a forum that promotes sorority amongst female Engineers this past two years”/ SHe therefore used the opportunity to appreciate all those who have contributed in one way or the other in building this Association to this very height.
She thanked the imediate past President of Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigerian, APWEN, Engr. Dr. Felicia Agubata FNSE who inaugurated the chapter and the current President Engr. Funmilola Ojelade who sustained the supports and played huge roles in the success of the Chapter.
She also mentioned Engr. prof. Philomena Igbokwe, Engr. Mrs Aniemena for their guides and suppprts. Also mentioned, Engr. Edmund Nkalu as well as many others notable Engineers in the state who lend their supports behind the women engineers’ body in the state. This also includes the Governor who provided supports to the engineers.
She listed some of the outstanding accomplishments of her tenure to include but not limited to :
APWEN Awka chapter emerged first in the NSE Awka branch group dynamics awards for the two consecutive years of her tenure.
Assisting unemployed members secure employment at some of the state establishments
Unizik Collegiate chapter was inaugurated.
Stand-by place of industrial attachment were freely secured for collegiate members.(courtesy of Engr. Marcel Ifejiofor, the honourable Commissioner ANSMOW & Engr. Ebosie Ezeoke, the chairman/managing director, Anambra state Material testing laboratory)
Quiz competitions were conducted amongst female secondary schools in Anambra state & the winners won cash prizes of their annual school fees and other consolation prizes.
Several workshops/seminars for students & members to assist in their professional Development
Career guidance initiative were conducted in both primary & secondary schools in Awka metropolis and beyond.
The Chapter partnered with ABS Awka and they provided free hall for any kind of students workshop/quiz competition with a promise of free to air coverage and viewing.(courtesy of The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra Broadcasting Service Chief Uche Nworah)
During her tenure, some procurements were made: customized dozens of original helmets & reflective jackets, customized giant sized table cloth & permanent banner on behalf of the chapter.
Women participation at the NSE branch increased and there were good team spirit among members of the association which in turn boosted the activities of NSE Awka branch including that of other divisions in the branch.
Worthy to note that her administration started this chapter with zero account balance but are able to pilot the financial affairs for the past two years without levying any of their members. They also cleared our N60,000 chapter’s annual obligation to APWEN National yet, we were able to handover the sum of 293,934.96 naira to the new executives.
Others including working with the National Executive in various programmes affecting women in engineering as well a supporting NSE Awka branch activities
She urged the new leadership of APWEN Awka chapter under Engr. Nneka ezeani, to build on this and take the Chapter to greater heights as she promised to continue to be of services to the Chapter.